Whether you need to learn a new skill for your job, want to brush up on a topic you studied long ago in school or just want to explore a topic for the fun of it, you will find it at Lynda.com for libraries. Over 3500 web-based video courses will take you through lessons step-by-step.

Ready For That Rainy Day

You probably already know you need to save for a rainy day. Problem is, there doesn’t seem to be enough money to put aside for that rainy day. All of your money seems to be going for today’s needs – and you’ll just have to worry about the future when you get there.

Unfortunately, that is the financial equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears and shouting “I can’t hear you!” Just because you don’t want to acknowledge that a savings account could literally save you doesn’t make it untrue. Job loss, unplanned pregnancies, car accidents, medical emergencies, transmission blowouts – they happen to all of us. Say it with me, “Something WILL happen.”

Right now, you might feel like you are stretched so far that you’re ready to give up before you’ve started. You might be paying off debts from years past, or borrowing just to get to the next payday. That does not mean you shouldn’t start putting a little bit aside. Forget about saving for retirement or your next vacation. Let’s figure out how to save for your next emergency.

Financial experts recommend saving 10% of your income. But unless you are in excellent financial health (and let’s be honest…you would have stopped reading by now if you were), this might look unattainable. So let’s start small. We’re going to take a teeny baby step and start a habit of saving. Let’s shoot for 1%. That’s right. Just 1%. How much is 1%? Look at your paystub. Then move the decimal point to the left 2 spaces. Try to put that much money aside every paycheck. Here’s an example:

Tina makes $800.00 every paycheck. Now, Tina going to shift that decimal point over to the left by 2 spaces. How much is that? $8.00 every paycheck. If she gets paid every two weeks, that would be over $200.00 saved in one year! It is not a lot of money and will not shield her from life’s emergencies for very long, but it will help her get into the habit of setting a little bit aside every paycheck.

I challenge you to find that little bit of money every time you get paid or get a windfall (like a tax return). As you get into the habit of saving, up the percentage even more. Challenge yourself to find ways to save 2%, 5%, or 8% of your paycheck. You will start to feel a sense of control over your finances. And you’ll be a little more prepared the next time your car doesn’t start.

Amazon Says: When it comes to personal finance, the rules may have changed, but the time-tested principles of sound personal financial management haven't. Those starting out on their paths more...

Amazon Says: When it comes to personal finance, the rules may have changed, but the time-tested principles of sound personal financial management haven't. Those starting out on their paths to financial security just need to learn them better and apply them earlier than ever before - ideally, right from the start. Previous generations have had some help in achieving financial security that young people can't count on today: generous employer pensions, steady housing price increases, and a well-funded Social Security program, to name a few. In short, the old "muddle through" approach won't cut it anymore - not even close. A steady income is still a must, but parlaying this into long-term financial security is now an entirely different proposition than ever before. The institutions of the past can no longer be relied upon to handle the process; each person now needs to manage the long-term financial planning and decision making on their own. Fortunately, though, anyone just starting out can still achieve a very strong financial future from almost any income level - but only by doing the right things to make it happen. Those things aren't particularly hard to understand or to do, but it is important to do them right, to do them consistently, and to do them in the right order. Most importantly, if you get an early start, the risks are minimal and the payoff is substantial. But each year that passes, the risks go up and the payoff goes down. If you have just started out in your financial life, or if you are just about to, and you want a complete and practical education in the fundamentals of personal finance for a secure future, then this book is for you. Chris Smith guides readers through the basics of saving, investing, and financial planning in language that is clear, accessible, and lively, making difficult concepts understandable to the novice, and enjoyable to those who already have some understanding. He shows readers how to apply this knowledge, and to avoid the most common pitfalls, to insure the best possible outcome for long-term financial security. less...

Amazon Says: Do you speak money? You should. It is the world’s most important language. It’s spoken everywhere. Speaking—or at least understanding—this language allows you to follo more...

Amazon Says: Do you speak money? You should. It is the world’s most important language. It’s spoken everywhere. Speaking—or at least understanding—this language allows you to follow the real conversations in politics, business, and at work. Understanding money and speaking the language fluently is critical to preparing for a comfortable retirement, building a small business, planning for college and a career for your children. Everyone speaks it differently, with different dialects. Some are riskier than others. Some want to save their money; others want to see it grow. There is no one accent, but understanding the differences will make couples, business partners, and coworkers happier—and wealthier. Authors and CNN financial experts Ali Velshi and Christine Romans speak the global language of money and translate it every day for hundreds of thousands of viewers. And they are here to teach you, too. It’s easier to learn than you might think. Speaking money affects every area of your life. It’s more than simply your savings or the investments you may have. It involves the way you think about money, the way you teach your children about it, and the way you were taught about it yourself. It’s about the way you spend it, save it, invest it, use it, need it and want it. The book will: Shed light on the male and female spending and investing disparity Discuss emerging international economies Weigh the financial hurdle of student debt culminating in a successful job Explain how to budget wisely and build wealth Show how to plan appropriately for retirement How to Speak Money is an easy-to-read, practical book that helps readers become fluent in the world’s most universal language. less...